Liquid fuel feeding means



July 3, 1951 H. B. TOWN LEY LIQUID FUEL FEEDING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 29, 1945 FIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'! 'II'IM INVENTOR. fi o/04s 5 7010/1431- BY Mwu Mm y 1951 H. B. TOWNLEY 2,559,135

LIQUID FUEL FEEDING MEANS Filed Dec. 29, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY ow @M Patented July 3, 1951 mourn FUEL FEEDING MEANS Holden B. Townley, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, as-

signor to Perfection Stove Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December- 29, 1945, Serial No. 638,225

Claims. (Cl. 15836.6)

This invention relates, generally, to liquid fuel feeding and control means for oil burning apparatus, especially of the kind incorporating burners of the bowl or pot type and whose operation is governed by an electrical control system involving a room thermostat, and the operating range of which includes low or pilot fire, intermediate fire, and high fire.

In the operation of such apparatus, there is a constant feeding of fuel to the burner; under low fire conditions, in sufficient amount, only, to sustain combustion; at intermediate fire, in such increased amount as to produce a moderate heat output, and at high fire, in such further increased amount as will advance the heat output to its maximum.

The present invention is concerned with the means for feeding the minimum amount of fuel, or that required for low or pilot fire, and because of the generally-known difiiculty of controlling the fiow, in such small amount, of the relatively heavy oils used in apparatus of the class referred to, by means of valves or orifices, I employ volumetric feeding means for the purpose, as in the apparatus disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 556,681, filed October 2. 1944, now matured into Patent 'No. 2,524,148, dated October 3, 1950.

However, in the present case, the volumetric liquid fuel feeding means takes the form of a piston pump, as distinguished from the reciprocating bucket type of liquid fuel transfer means of my earlier application.

An object of my present invention is to provide a piston type pump that is especially, well suited to the purpose at hand and that is of very simple and substantial construction; that can be manufactured at low cost; that is convenient of assembly; that is compact and therefore occupies little space in the feeding and control unit of which it forms a part, and that will be durable, reliable and efficient in service. is to provide means of adjustment that is simple, readily accessible and vary convenient of manipulation for varying the amount of liquid fed at each stroke of the piston.

A further object is to provide flow retarding means between the outlet port of the pump and the liquid fuel conveying means that lead to the burner bowl, which retarding means is novel in action and very simple in character, and smooths out the intermittent discharges of fuel from the pump into a substantially continuous flow as the fuel proceeds to the burner bowl.

Other objects will become manifest as the de- Another object scription proceeds which, withq those set out above, are attained by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate like parts in the several views.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a liquid fuel feeding and control unit incorporating the invention, the plane of section passing centrally through the pump, as indicated by the line |l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional plan, on the line 22 of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the unit, partly in section, the plane of section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail of the adjustable connecting rod or link that connects the piston rod of the pump to the power takeoff element or crank of the driving mechanism.

Proceeding now with a detailed description of the invention, I denotes a receptacle to which liquid fuel is supplied through a conduit 2 from a suitable source (not shown). Admission of the liquid fuel to the receptacle is controlled by means shown more or less conventionally as a float actuated valve. The valve is designated 5 and it is closed by a float 6 when the latter is lifted by an accumulation of liquid fuel in the receptacle to the level indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. The float is fixed to an arm I that is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin 8 that is supported by a bracket 9, and the end of the arm remote from the float bears on the head I0 of the valve 5, between which head, and a tubular guide H in which the valve reciprocates, is a helical spring I2 that tends to lift the valve from its seat.

The receptacle I preferably consists of a die cast unit, and the same is formed on its interior with two cylindrical bosses l5 and I6 that rise from the bottom wall of the receptacle and are spaced apart laterally of the receptacle, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Between these bosses is a walled structure I! that encloses a so-called pilot sump or delivery compartment. The boss I6 is slotted along its side remote from said sump entirely from top to bottom, the slot being designated I8. Extending about the interior of the boss adjacent the bottom thereof, excepting for an interruption that registers with the slot I8, is a seat l9. Diametrically opposite the slot I8,

the boss I6 has a notch 20 that extends a suit-- able distance downwardly from its upper end.

2! denotes the pump cylinder which consists of a length of tubing that is pressed into the boss I and has its lower end engaged with the seat It. The pump cylinder 25 has an inlet port 25 near its lower end that registers with the slot II, and an outlet port 21 near its upper end that registers with the notch 20. By reason of the construction described, the pump cylinder is adapted to receive liquid fuel from the main part or receiving compartment R of the receptacle I through the port 28, and discharge the same through the outlet port 21 into the pilot sump or delivery compartment S. Said latter compartment or sump overflows through a passage ill into the bore 3| of the boss l5, and a pipe 32 establishes communication between said bore and the burner bowl B, a fragment of which is shown in Fig. 3.

Operating within the pump cylinder 25 i a piston 34, the rod 35 of which rises through an opening in the cover 28 of the receptacle I, where it is guided in a bushing 31 that is suitably fastened in said opening. Supported by a bracket 20, which is secured to and rises from one end of the cover 26, is driving mechanism designated generally by the reference numeral 40. This mechanism includes a small-electric motor ll of the clock type. To the power take-off element or driving shaft 42 of the mechanism 40 is fastened, by means of a set screw 43, a crank 44; and on the pin 45 of the crank is pivoted the upper end of an adjustable connecting rod or link 46.

The link is made oi sections 41 and 4;, the lower end of the former being shaped to provide spaced parallel portions 41' and 41 that have axially aligned unthreaded holes, while the upper end of the lower section 48 is turned laterally to provide a part 48 that is disposed between the parts 41 and 41" (Fig. 4) Said part 4! has a threaded aperture, and an adjusting screw Si is passed freely through the hole in the part 41 and is threaded through the aperture of part III and has its lower end engaged through the hole in the art End is compressed between the parts 41"- and 48. At its'lower end, the connecting rod or link 46 is pivotally attached to the upper end of the piston rod 35. The motor 4| has connection with a source of electrical energy (not shown) through a circuit including conductors 55 and 56.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that when the motor ll is in operation, the piston 24 will be reciprocated within the cylinder 25. When the piston 34 is below the upper edge of the inlet port 26, liquid will flow from the main part or receiving compartment of the receptacle I into the pump cylinder and assume the same level therein as prevails in said main part or compartment- Now, as the piston rises above the port 26, it will trap and lift a quantity of liquid, all or a part of which will escape through the outlet port 21 as the piston reaches the top of its stroke. The quantity of liquid discharged through said port into the pilot sump S is dependent upon the height to which the piston ascends, and this is determined by the length of the connecting rod or link 46, which length may be altered by turning the screw 5|. When the screw is turned in one direction, it will feed the part 42 upwardly against the tension of the spring 53 to elevate the piston, and when it is turned in the opposite direction, it will lower said part, the spring 52 serving at all times to urge the parts and 42 away from each other. This adjustment does not alter the length of the piston stroke, but changes the elevation of its range of operation, and con- 41. A spring 53 surrounds the screw 5| piston below the inlet port 26, the liquid beneath the piston flows into and out of the cylinder through the'bottom of the slot I8.

Bearing in mind that the liquid fuel is discharged intermittently from the pump into the pilot sump S, it is obvious that, unless means are provided for preventing such action, the fuel will overflow from the sump in the same intermittent manner and arrive at the burner bowl in successive surges, resulting in spasmodic combustion. This is not particularly objectionable, but to avoid the condition,a simple and effective flow retarding means is provided which, in its present form, consists of a quantity of fibrous material, such as steel wool, that is placed in the sump S and extends above the overflow level thereof to near'the elevation of the outlet port 21. material is designated 51 in Fig. 3 and, through capillary action, retards the descent of the fuel, causing the fuel to overflow more gradually from the sump than it otherwise would, thus smoothing out the flow to the burner bowl.-

Although it forms no part of the present invention, I shall now describe briefly the means for controlling the flow of fuel to the burner bowl for intermediate and high fires.

As shown in Fig. 3, the reduced lower end of the bore 3| of the boss I5 terminates at its upper end in a shoulder ill, above which, for a short distance, the diameter of the bore is slightly increased. Above this point,the bore is flared to provide a valve seat 6|, from which the bore continues upwardly at its maximum diameter. Communication is established between the part of the bore above the valve seat 6| andthe main part or receiving compartment of the receptacle I through a port 62. A valve 65 occupies the bore, the same having a tapered portion 66 for engagement with the seat GI, and a reduced extension 61 therebelow that slidably fits the reduced lower end of the bore 3|, the body portion of the valve above the seat enga in part 66 being of a. diametersubstantially less than the portion of the bore it occupies. The extension 61 is provided with a slot 68, shown as terminating at its upper end in engaging part 66.

a cross slot that is slightly spaced below the seat The valve is operated, through suitable-connections, by mechanism housed in a casing III that surmounts the cover 26 of the receptacle I, neither the connections nor the mechanism being shown. Said mechanism is adapted to be electrically connected with and under thecontrol of a room thermostat, such'as is common to automatic heating systems. The valve is shown in Fig. 3 in its intermediate position under which circumstances sufllcient fuel flows through the port 62, past the valve seat GI, and through the slot 68 to produce, with the fuel that is being constantly supplied by the pump through the pilot sump S, intermediate fire in the burner bowl B. When the temperature affecting the room thermostat rises above a predetermined normal" range for which the thermostat is set, it will cause the mechanism housed in the casing II to depress the valve and engage the part we thereof with the seat 6|, shutting 011 direct flow or me. from the main part of the receptacle I to' the This burner. Under these conditions, low or pilot fire prevails. It is understood that when normal temperature is restored, the mechanism acts to return the valve to its intermediate position shown in Fig. 3. Now, in case the temperature to which the room thermostat is responsive falls below the aforesaid "norma range, the mechanism will act to elevate the valve above intermediate position, uncovering a greater area of the slot ll above the shoulder 00. This results in an .increased supply of fuel to the burner, producing high fire.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising an enclosure including a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, .the delivery compartment having an outlet a substantial distance below said level, a vertical pump cylinderhaving an inlet port situated well .below the aforesaid level and communicating. with the receiving compartment, said cylinder having, also, an outlet port, a substantial distance above said level arranged to discharge into the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top of the inlet port and a position intermediatesaid top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a height at which it will overflow through the outlet port,idriving mechanism, and operativeconnections between said mechanism and the piston, the pump cylinder being vented below the inlet port.

2. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising an enclosure including a receiving compartment, a delivery compartment, and a vertically disposed pump cylinder intermediate said compartments, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet a substantial distance below said level, the pump cylinder having an inletport situated well below the aforesaid level and communicating with the receiving compartment, said cylinder having, also. an outlet port a substantial distance above said level arranged to discharge into the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top of the inlet port and a position intermediate said top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a height at which it will overflow through the outlet port, driving mechanism including a prime mover and a power take-off element operated thereby, said element having a range of movement in a vertical direction of constant magnitude, and driving connections between said element and the piston that are adjustable in length, the pump cylinder being vented adjacent its lower end to the receiving compartment.

3. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising an enclosure including a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet a substantial dis- 1 tance below said level. a vertical pump cylinder having an inlet port situated well below the aforesaid level and communicating with the receiving compartment, said cylinder having, also, an outlet port a substantial distance above said level arranged to discharge into the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top of the inlet port and a position intermediate said top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a,height at which it will overflow through the outlet port.

a piston rod rising from the piston, driving mechanism including a prime mover and a power take-oil element operated thereby, said element having a range of movement in a vertical direction of constant magnitude, and driving connections consisting of a link whose opposite ends are pivotally connected respectively to said elemeni and the piston rod, said link being adjustable in length between its points of connection with saio. element and the piston rod.

4. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising an enclosure including a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means, for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet a substantial distance below said level, a vertical pump cylinder having an inlet port situated well. below the aforesaid level and communicating with the receiving compartment, said cylinder having, also, an outlet port a substantial distance above said level arranged to discharge into thedelivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top of the inlet port and a position intermediate said top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a height at which it will overflow through the outlet port, a piston rod to the lower end ofwhich said piston is connected and having a cross sectional area upwardly a distance therefrom which is considerably less than that of the piston, driving mechanism including a prime mover and'a power take-off element operated thereby, said element having a range of movement in a vertical direction of constant magnitude, alink connecting said element and the end of said rod-remote from the piston, said link consisting of sections. and means connecting said sections for relative adjustment in a longitudinal direction.

, 5. Liquid fuel feeding means according to claim 4 wherein one of said sections of the link is provided with longitudinally spaced transverseportions and the other section with a transverse lug situated intermediate said portions, said lug having a threaded hole and said portions having apertures'in axial alignment with said hole, and the means connecting the sections consists of a headed screw extending freely through said apertures and threaded through said hole and arranged with its head bearing on one of sai portions, and a coil spring surrounding the sore and compressed between said lug and the last mentioned portion.

6. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising an enclosure including a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet a substantial distance below said level, a vertical pump cylinder having an inlet port situated well below the aforesaid level and communicatingwith the receiving compartment, said cylinder having, also, an outlet port a substantial distance above said level arranged to discharge into the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top at th inlet port and a volition int rmediate 1 said top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet 1 port to a height at which it will overflow through the outlet port, a-piston rod to the lower end of which said piston is connected, driving mechanism including a prime mover and a power takeoff element operated thereby,said element having a range of movement in a vertical direction of constant magnitude, 9. link connecting said element and the end of said rod remote from the piston," said link consisting oftwo metal strips, one strip having its terminal portion extended laterally to provide a lug, and the adJacent end portion of the other stripbeing offset laterally and shaped to provide longitudinally spaced transverse portions between which said lug is disposed, the lug having a threaded hole and said portions having apertures in alignment with said hole, a headed screw projecting freely through the aperture of the portion nearest the power take-ofl element and threaded through said hole and guided adjacent its end in the aperture of the other of said portions, and a spring surrounding the screw between the said lug and the portion adjacent the head of the screw.

7. Liquid fuel feeding means comprising a vessel having on its interior a barrier dividing the vessel into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, said barrier incorporating between said compartments, 9. vertical sleeve-like side adjacent the receiving compartment and l notched from the top a suitable depth on the side adjacent the delivery compartment, a pump cylinder fitted within said boss, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet substantially below said level, the pump cylinder having an inlet portsituated well below the aforesaid level and communicating through the slotted side of the boss with the receiving compartment, and an outlet port a substantial distance above said level and communicating through the notch of the boss with-the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the pump cylinder between a position below the top of the inlet port and'a position intermediate said top of the inlet port an;- the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a height at which it wil overflow through the outlet port, driving mecha nism; and operative connections between the samei and the piston.

8. liquid fuel feeding means comprising a vessel having on its interior a barrier dividing the vessel into a receiving compartment and a delivery compartment, said barrier incorporating between said compartments 9, vertical sleeve-like boss that is slotted from top to bottom on the side adjacent the receiving compartment and notched from the top a suitable depth on the side adjacent the delivery compartment, an elevated annular seat extending about the interior of the boss at the bottom thereof and having a side ope'ni'ngregistering with the slot of the boss, a pump cylinder open at top and bottom fitted within said boss with its lower end engaged with said seat, means for supplying liquid fuel to the receiving compartment and for maintaining it therein at a given level, the delivery compartment having an outlet substantially below said level, the pump cylinder having an inlet port situated well below the aforesaid level and communicating through the slotted side of the boss with the receiving compartment, and an outlet port a substantial distance above said leveland communicating through the notch of the boss with the delivery compartment, a piston reciprocable in the-pump cylinder between a positionbelow the top of the inlet port and a position intermediate said top of the inlet port and the outlet port for elevating liquid fuel admitted through the inlet port to a height at which it will overflow through the outlet port, driving mechanism, and operative connections between said mechanism and the piston.

9. In liquid fuel supply means, a sump provided with an outlet, volumetric liquid feeding means situated and acting to intermittently discharged liquid into the sump at a substantial elevation above the outlet of the latter, and flow retarding means onto which said feeding means discharges which has sumcient absorption quality to slow down the descent of the liquid fuel.

10. The combination defined by claim 9 wherein said flow retarding means consists of a mass of fibrous material having a capillary action 0.1 the liquid fuel.

HOLDEN B. TOWNLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS 

